PORT HUENEME

city and seaport terminal, in Ventura county, southwestern California, U.S. Founded in 1874 by Thomas R. Bard as Hueneme (Chumash Indian: "half-way"), it did not develop until 1940, when its man-made deepwater harbour was opened as Port Hueneme. The government purchased the facility in 1942 and established the U.S. Naval Construction Battalion (Seabee) Center for Pacific operations; the Seabee Museum is in the city. After 1961 portions of the coast were commercially developed for the Oxnard Harbor District. The Channel Islands National Monument is offshore, and the Point Mugu Naval Air Station is 7 miles (11 km) southeast. Inc. 1948. Pop. (1992 est.) 21,074.